Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs, rivalry, grudge match, Latrell Mitchell, who will win, Braith Anasta, NRL 360

The grudge matter between bitter rivals South Sydney and the Roosters has been tipped to “explode” on Friday night.

Roosters champion Braith Anasta says the Rabbitohs are “on their knees” after an abysmal start to their season.

Souths have dropped their halfback Lachlan Ilias just two games into the season, while superstar fullback has also been engulfed in controversy after the NRL refused to sanction him for repeatedly swearing in a post-match radio interview.

Coach Jason Demetriou is already under pressure to keep his job considering his side’s poor finish in 2023 has carried over into this season.

The Rabbitohs have made 28 errors in their opening two games against Manly and Brisbane and conceded 64 points.

The club has lost 11 of its past 15 matches and now face a brutal block of games starting with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

“This could absolutely explode, not only because of the rivalry, we know how intense it is, we know it is a game that both teams, both fans, both officials, they hate each other,” Anasta said on NRL 360.

“But given the circumstances too, with South Sydney really on their knees at the moment having a tough week after a tough back end of last season.

“The best way for Souths to respond, when they are on their knees, is against their bitter rivals. This game just sets up to be an absolute blockbuster.”

But Paul Kent believes the grudge match could be just what the Rabbitohs need to resurrect their season.

“It’s also the easiest game for them to respond in because emotionally they don’t really have to even try because it just comes,” Kent said.

“Those big games bring their own natural emotions. So for Souths there are really no excuses after this weekend as far as performance goes.

“They’ve got their backs to the wall, inside doings at the club questions, they’re up against the Roosters, they’ve got it all there in place to say ‘ok let’s show people what we’re made of’.

“And the fact Demetriou has only made one change, which is unusual given the start they’ve had, so the fact he’s put it on the halfback puts a little bit of responsibility on all those guys that did survive and could have been a bit accountable on their performances to actually step up and have a crack.”

James Hooper revealed the clubs are once again paranoid the other is working to sabotage them.

“It’s brilliant how much these clubs hate each other and it wouldn’t be a build up to this grudge match without both sides this week being on the phone and telling people around the game that we think they’re leaking this about us,” he said.

“There are crazy conspiracy theories. The Roosters think the Bunnies have deliberately trying to undermine them and over at South Sydney headquarters it’s vice versa.”